Rolls-Royce ‘Landspeed’ Collection is a fitting tribute to Captain George Eyston, and his extraordinary car, Thunderbolt …

Rolls-Royce Wraith and Dawn Black Badge Landspeed Collection

Captain George Eyston was among the first British racers to travel to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where he set new 24-hour and 48-hour endurance speed records. This was in 1935 and in 1937, the legendary racer returned went on to set three world land-speed records at the Flats with his extraordinary machine called the Thunderbolt.

Now, after more than 80 years of this remarkable feat, Rolls-Royce has found a way to honour his legendary exploits through two limited edition automobiles. The Wraith and Dawn Black Badge retell the remarkable story of Captain Eyston, and Thunderbolt.

The Landspeed Collection not only draws inspiration from Eyston’s life, it also evokes the aesthetics of the unique landscape Bonneville Salt Flats where Thunderbolt made him, albeit briefly, the fastest man on Earth.

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Landspeed Collection arm rest padding

The Collection Car duo is presented in a specially created two-tone finish, which marries Black Diamond Metallic with a new Bespoke colour, Bonneville Blue. This specially developed hue bears particular significance to the Collection, with a colour that transitions under sunlight from light blue to silver, illustrating the reflections of both the vast sky over Bonneville and the crisp salt flats on Thunderbolt’s aluminium body.

Design cues also include special references to the Thunderbolt. Silhouettes of the long-lost Thunderbolt, and its three record-breaking speeds, are laser-engraved on the front tunnel, while subtle detail in driver’s-side door reproduces ribbon colours of the honours awarded to

Eyston during his lifetime. A special clock adopts some of the Thunderbolt’s markings and gauges. And, the Starlight Headliner precisely depicts the night sky on 16 September 1938, when Eyston set his third and final land-speed record of 357.497 mph.

Only 35 examples of Wraith Black Badge, and 25 of Dawn Black Badge exist and these will keep the fuel of the great Captain’s legacy burning bright for posterity.

by Signature Team